Measure What Matters: How Google, Bono, and the Gates Foundation Rock the World with OKRs by John Doerr. It is easier to understand during a pandemic how organizations should embrace OKRs in a time of dramatic change.
Firstly, Measure What Matters begins with John’s story of landing an engineering internship at Intel. Andy Grove is credited by Doerr as the father of OKRs. John was able to work alongside Andy and his team. Certainly this benefitted John in his career. Above all, Grove served as Doerr’s mentor at Intel and left a lifetime impression on the delivery of goals.
Above all, this offers new views against smartgoals or annual performance reviews. Doerr also shares how Adobe, upon viewing OKRs decided to completely shut down legacy annual performance reviews. COVID is a game changer that also helps move away from year long reviews.
At first glance, I have to admit that I was somewhat dismayed to see the name of U2’s Bono on the cover. That is to say many interview of musicians go off the rails. But Bono’s contribution will surprise any reader. His ability to convey his non-profit’s OKRs is very revealing that speaks to the depth and grounding of a business plan that you may not initially attribute to a world famous rock and roll singer.
Similarly there is an inspirational story is Nuna. John shares the story of Jini Kim. Her brother, Kimong was diagnosed with severe autism. While vacationing at Disneyworld, he suffered a severe seizure. At nine years of age Jini enrolled her family into Medicaid. Jini was a product manager at Google Health. Moreover Jini helped launch Google Public Data. When Jini left Google to launch her own startup, Nuna (Korean for big sister) her application of OKRs helped her company win the bid to fix healthcare.gov in 2013.
Likewise there is simplicity to OKRs. But a foundation of solid objectives is key:
- Exceptional Focus
- High degree of alignment
- Uncommon degree of commitment
- Tracking progress
- Transparent goal system
Moreover, John sees his book as a handbook, not a business book. Yet his is quick to point out that OKRs are not a silver bullet. OKRs do not substitute for strong culture and strong management. In addition, he shows many examples of needing a CEO with strong, transparent OKRs.
It almost doesn’t matter what you know. It’s execution that’s everything.
Andy Grove
Subsequently, results are often challenging to define for an organization. John provides an overview to ‘the what and how’ that applies universally:
- Specific and time bound
- Aggressive yet realistic
- Measurable & Verifiable
Likewise, what are benefits from adopting OKRs for an organization?
They are not the sum of all tasks. In addition, does the organization have a system to support members adopting their goals? This process also introduces Conversation, Feedback and Recognition (CFRs) that help companies ultimately win.
Doerr’s What Matters consulting website.
Measure What Matters | Measuring with John Doerr
Betterworks | John Doerr on OKRs and Goal Setting at Google and Intel
TED | Why the secret to success is setting the right goals
Commonwealth Club of California | Venture Capitalist John Doerr
MITSMR | John Doerr on OKRs and Measuring What Matters
Weekdone | How to Set Good OKRs With Examples